Getting Error but can't see why ? (Solved)(due to own stupidity)

Each time I run my game I'm getting this error -

UnassignedReferenceException: The variable lavaPoint of LavaThrower has not been assigned. You probably need to assign the lavaPoint variable of the LavaThrower script in the inspector. UnityEngine.Transform.get_position () (at C:/BuildAgent/work/d63dfc6385190b60/artifacts/EditorGenerated/UnityEngineTransform.cs:28) LavaThrower.ThrowTheLavaBall () (at Assets/LavaThrower.cs:26) LavaThrower.Update () (at Assets/LavaThrower.cs:17)

The variable 'lavaPoint' has been assigned in the inspector. I've assigned it from the refabs list, I've assigned it directly from the hierarchy, I've assigned it directly from the dropdown menu in the inspector and still I get the message?

I've tried rebooting unity to see if it was just a temp glitch, but no.

the script -

 using UnityEngine;
 using System.Collections;
 
 public class LavaThrower : MonoBehaviour
 {
     
     public Transform lavaPoint;
     public Rigidbody lavaBallPrefab;
     public int ballNumbers = 0;
     public int throwPower;
     
     
     void Update()
     {
            if(ballNumbers <=0)
         {
             ThrowTheLavaBall();
         }
     }
      
 
     void ThrowTheLavaBall()
     {
         ballNumbers += 1;
         Rigidbody lavaBall;
         lavaBall = Instantiate(lavaBallPrefab, lavaPoint.position, lavaPoint.rotation) as Rigidbody;
         lavaBall.AddForce(lavaPoint.up * throwPower);
     }
 }
 

Anybody have any suggestions as to why this error is coming up

???